Before proceeding with the purchase of a car abroad, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the customs clearance rules for vehicles that apply in your country. This will help avoid problems during the importation of the car and reduce the risks of incurring additional expenses.

Once you have selected the necessary car, you should finalize the purchase by paying for it before shipment. The most reliable and convenient method of payment is cashless transactions. After payment, you will receive a receipt or another document confirming the purchase. This document serves as a guarantee for the successful completion of the customs clearance process and will help avoid issues with customs inspectors.

After paying for the car, the next step is its transportation to the destination country. You can either use the services of a reliable transportation company (TC) or arrange the delivery yourself.

A car is a large cargo, and special equipment may be required for its loading. If you entrust the customs clearance of the car to a reputable company, you won’t have to deal with the preparation and documentation yourself, as well as filling out the export declaration EX-1. The brokerage organization will handle all the necessary documents and deliver the car to a temporary storage warehouse (TSW) in Russia.

According to the legislation of the People's Republic of China and the rules of the World Trade Organization, it is mandatory to draft a supply contract when conducting foreign trade operations. This document outlines the terms of the transaction, which helps minimize potential risks.

Key Points of the Contract:

• Delivery Terms: The contract must clearly specify the delivery terms according to Incoterms 2000, such as EXW, FOB, or CIF, with a mandatory explanation of each term.
• Delivery Deadlines: The deadlines for fulfilling obligations by both parties must be clearly stated.
• Accompanying Documents: The contract should include a list of all necessary documents for customs and other authorities.
• Sanctions and Claims: It is important to specify detailed characteristics of the car, return conditions, and the procedure for handling claims.
• Dispute Resolution: It is recommended to resolve conflicts through the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC).

The primary language of the contract is Chinese, but translations into English or Russian are possible.

A legal entity can transfer money to a Chinese manufacturer and transportation company from its settlement account. Such an operation is subject to currency control, which is carried out by currency control authorities (CCA), such as the Central Bank and the government of the Russian Federation, as well as currency control agents (CCA), including banks.

Categories of Transactions and Required Documents for Payment:

• Amount from 200,000 to 3,000,000 rubles: It is necessary to provide documents that allow assigning a code to the transaction. These can include an invoice, receipt, act, or contract.
• Amount over 3,000,000 rubles: It is mandatory to prepare and register a contract or its draft. If the contract has not yet been signed, the businessman is required to provide the final version within 15 days after signing.

For large transactions that require registration, it is additionally necessary to issue a certificate of supporting documents (CSD). This certificate is filled out by an accountant in accordance with the Central Bank Instruction No. 181-I. The timeframe for issuing the CSD is no more than 15 days from the last day of the month in which the Russian party fulfilled its obligations under the contract.

Administrative Responsibility:
If money is transferred abroad but the transaction is not properly documented, this may result in administrative liability. The fine for violating the document submission procedure is as follows:

• For legal entities: 40,000 to 50,000 rubles.
• For individual entrepreneurs (IE): 4,000 to 5,000 rubles.

If the documents are not provided within the established timeframe, the penalties depend on the duration of the delay.

Import Duty: 20% of the value of the car.

VAT: Depending on the category of the car, it can range from 10% to 20%.

Customs Fee: Usually amounts to 0.5% of the value of the car.

Excise Tax: May apply depending on the type and volume of the engine.

Additional Expenses:

• Insurance: It is recommended to obtain insurance for the car, especially if you are using cargo delivery, which may not include complete documentation (only weight and dimensions are recorded, without packing lists and certificates). The cost of insurance ranges from 1% to 6% of the declared value of the goods.
• Packaging and Transportation: If the car requires special transportation conditions, such as in a refrigerated truck or special container, this may increase the cost of delivery.

Transportation companies offer various methods for delivering cars from China to Russia:

• Consolidated Cargo: Suitable for small batches, where the car is delivered as part of consolidated cargo by sea or road transport. This option is economical if there is no need to pay extra for a separate container.
• Individual Container: Used for bulk shipments. You can choose a standard 20-foot or 40-foot container, a High Cube (with increased capacity), a refrigerated container, an Open Top (for cargo exceeding standard dimensions), or a Flat Rack (a platform for oversized cargo).